Exceptional 2016 Halleck Pinot Noir, Sonoma Coast, Clone 828 ($65): Red fruit and complexity dance hand in hand around a central core of deep fruit, but the wine’s greatest attribute is its lightness, along with superb balance of acidity… Want to read more? If you’re already a subscriber, welcome back – you may login here. If you … Continue reading “Tasting Notes”
Tasting Notes
Tasting Notes
Exceptional 2016 Alphonse Mellot Sancerre ($32): This stylish, classically scented Loire Sauvignon Blanc has the nose of minerality that some wines from Sancerre lately have lacked. (One wonders if this blandness is intentional.) The entry is cri… Want to read more? If you’re already a subscriber, welcome back – you may login here. If you aren’t a … Continue reading “Tasting Notes”
Tasting Notes
2016 Alquimista Pinot Noir, Mendocino County, Manchester Ridge ($75): Light, pale ruby in color with an almost rosé appearance in bright light. The aroma is startlingly fragrant with wild raspberries and a delicate fresh cherry note, and the taste is… Want to read more? If you’re already a subscriber, welcome back – you may login here. If … Continue reading “Tasting Notes”
Tasting Notes
2016 Rain Dance Estate Riesling, Chehalem Mountains, Nichols Vineyard ($22): What marks this sensational Riesling is an amazingly spiced aroma of jasmine and fresh fennel. The entry is very dry, but the mid-palate shows about 6 grams of r.s. all held… Want to read more? If you’re already a subscriber, welcome back – you may login … Continue reading “Tasting Notes”
Tasting Notes
A Few Great Rieslings Exceptional 2015 Von Nell-Breuning Kaseler Dominikanerberg Riesling Kabinett ($19): The aroma is stony with hints of white peach, slightly floral, and the wine has a depth that is hard to imagine from the cooler Ruwer Val… Want to read more? If you’re already a subscriber, welcome back – you may login here. If … Continue reading “Tasting Notes”
Tasting Notes
Exceptional 2015 Robert James Pinot Noir, Russian River Valley, “Pinnacle” ($60): Generous fruit and spice notes mark the up-front freshness of this delightful new entry into the PN sweepstakes. The wine’s makeup is softer than I typically like, (… Want to read more? If you’re already a subscriber, welcome back – you may login here. If you … Continue reading “Tasting Notes”
Tasting Notes
Exceptional The following wines are all from Dutton-Goldfield 2016 Riesling, Marin County, Chileno Valley Vineyard ($30): A startling wine in some ways since the striking aroma of lime pith, limestone, and a subtle spice note leads to a mid-pal… Want to read more? If you’re already a subscriber, welcome back – you may login here. If you … Continue reading “Tasting Notes”
Tasting Notes
Exceptional 2014 Frank Family Zinfandel, Napa Valley ($34): A faint mint character enhances the striking aroma of raspberry and fresh loganberries. Aging in oak barrels gave it a nut/spice note. This is simply a superb wine to serve with assertive… Want to read more? If you’re already a subscriber, welcome back – you may login here. If … Continue reading “Tasting Notes”
Tasting Notes
2014 Balletto Pinot Noir, Russian River Valley ($29): This striking wine is perfectly fruit-centered, with the emphasis on the faint Burgundian/leafy notes I seek in a great wine, and only occasionally find. The big difference here is that instead of… Want to read more? If you’re already a subscriber, welcome back – you may login here. If … Continue reading “Tasting Notes”
Tasting Notes
Exceptional 2015 Luckert Silvaner, Franken, “Sulzfelder” ($20): In July, columnist Andrew Jefford of Decanter magazine in London wrote a glowing article in which he talked about the absolute greatness of the grape variety Silvaner, notably in Germ… Want to read more? If you’re already a subscriber, welcome back – you may login here. If you aren’t a … Continue reading “Tasting Notes”